SOMALI ANTI-PIRACY INFORMATION CENTRE (SAPIC)
SAPIC Town hall Meeting on December 29, 2013
For Immediate Release
PRESS STATEMENT 29/12/2013.
While speaking at a town hall meeting convened by Somali Anti-Piracy Information Centre (SAPIC). The SAPIC Baidoa Liaison Officer outlined that piracy is the key problem in Somali society. Saying that if piracy exist in coastal communities of Somalia, piracy activities in other forms takes place such as hostage taking and road blocks.
Sh. Miiris Mohamed, religious leader emphasized on piracy and Islam by indicating that Islam is against piracy and there are severe for committing piracy crimes. Sh. Miiris indicated that hostage taking and robbery are similar to piracy and Islam is against that. Sh. Miiris further outlined that parents have a huge responsibility to advise the youth against piracy.
Nuur Shariif, the chairman of Bay & Bakool Youth Association outlined that many youth have no jobs, and it seems that the youth have become the only tool to commit crimes, such as piracy and road blocks. “we need to educate our youth, we need to create jobs, train our youth so that they don’t join criminal gangs which create insecurity in our community”, Nuur Shariif said.
Traditional leader, Ahmed Haji Hassan indicated that all representatives of the society have a great responsibility to advocate against piracy although the key responsibility lays with parents .
Hodan Mohamed Hassan, the representative of women lastly indicated that piracy activities have effected women groups in that many young ladies have been lured to marry members of piracy, and later introduced to drugs.
“We hope that the Somali Federal Government and the regional administration jointly offer youth alternative jobs so that they stop joining criminal groups”
The meeting was attended by more than 70 participants including women, youth, religious and traditional leaders.
SAPIC is supported by United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM)
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